The Stalking of Louise Copperfield

by Robert W Fisk

  Because Louise detailed how her life had been full of rows and criticism and violent moodiness from Frank ending with his departure, the officer concluded that this was a domestic dispute, the last in a long line of problems that would end in a custody battle for the child.

  The police charged Frank with disturbing the peace and suggested that Louise see a lawyer and have a Protection Order put in place. The woman officer suggested that would help Louise gain custody of Alexander. Because she could clearly see from Louise’s responses that support was needed the officer gave Louise a card for a counselling agency.

  “If things get really bad, give these people a call,” she said. “Anxiety and Depression Counselling. They help a lot of our clients.”

  CHAPTER 41.

  Following Frank’s attack Louise set about including Kezia as a Joint Account holder for the Swiss Bank account. She found a drawback: Kezia was not twenty one and could not be a partner. Who else could she trust? Not Charlotte. Mrs Hohepa? Nigel Jones? Jayne?

  She decided it should be Nigel Jones and Jayne Hyslop. Nigel and Louise had known each other for a long time. He had always been honest with her. Jayne was as honest as the day is long. Brett Shaw suggested she place all her assets into a Family Trust, with Kezia as a Junior Partner and Nigel, Jayne and himself as partners because he was a neutral outsider. Having a neutral outsider was an essential for a trust.

  Again, the Swiss Bank was very co-operative. Kezia had to go to a Notary Public to have her face recorded for the bank’s recognition software and to sign all the papers at the lawyer’s office. Kezia was amazed at her mother’s growing self-confidence. Louise was amazed at Kezia’s beauty. Her Ugly Duckling had turned into a beautiful swan.

  Jayne and Nigel signed the Family Trust papers at the lawyer’s office. They had their photographs taken so the Bank in Switzerland would recognise the Phoenix Trust should Louise die. They were not given passwords to the account and had no idea how much money Louise was worth. Nigel could see the sense in Louise forming a Family Trust and felt like an uncle or a step-father to Kezia. Jayne was pleased because it lessened the chances of Frank killing Louise.

  When her papers arrived from the bank in Switzerland Louise put them in a large envelope, addressed it to Detective Constable Hyslop and placed it with her insurance papers for safe-keeping.

  Brett Shaw called the initial meeting of the Board of the Phoenix Family Trust. Kezia was allowed to attend but could not vote.

  After welcoming the members, Brett Shaw said, “I think the only item of business is that Mrs Copperfield’s allowance should continue,” he said.

  Nigel thought that was a good idea and asked Louise if it was adequate. She assured him that it was. Nigel assumed the allowance came from Frank through the Trust and voted in favour. The next meeting was set for a year’s time, as an Annual General Meeting, unless a special meeting was called by any member, including Kezia.

  Youssef arrived as usual for his lesson. He seemed happy and cheerful because his application to study at Palmerston North had been accepted, to commence in February, but first he had to pass an English examination.

  When Louise looked at the prospectus for the English Language Testing System examination, she realised that Youssef needed more help in English than she could give. She now had more money than she had ever dreamed of because the bank advisor in Switzerland had arranged for a generous monthly allowance to be paid into her New Zealand account. Louise paid income tax on the deposit so that she would not have to worry about being accused of tax evasion. She could easily afford to send Youssef to a language centre.

  Louise thought that perhaps a larger centre than Wahanui might be better for Youssef. Kezia was full of enthusiasm but also seemed sad in her quiet moments. It was obvious that Kezia wanted the best for Youssef, even at a cost to herself. It was plain that Kezia, who still had her finals to sit in November, was fed up with Wahanui High. Louise was not stupid so she turned her thoughts to how a bad situation could be changed for good.

  Louise had heard that one of the best teaching places for an immigrant was the Otago Language Centre, located in Dunedin, which arranged accommodation in a local family’s home and which had an excellent academic reputation. Following his language studies, Youssef could begin university studies.

  Youssef applied for a place, with Louise’s help. It was quite fun. The people were friendly and obviously dealt regularly with immigrants.

  “We have quite a large immigrant population from Syria,” said the Enrolment Officer. “Youssef will feel quite at home.”

  Louise transferred the fees. A few days later an acceptance letter was received. Youssef could start immediately.

  CHAPTER 42.

  Louise and Kezia stood at Wahanui Airport and watched Youssef’s plane take off. Suddenly Louise’s daily visitor had gone. Her role as a teacher was finished. Kezia stood beside Louise, bereft when what she had been helping with but inside hoped it would never really happen. Because she knew with her mind that it was for Youssef’s benefit she was willing to sacrifice her time with him so he could qualify for his veterinary studies. Now it had become real, Youssef’s departure tore at her heart strings.

  “Mum,” Kezia wailed. “How could you do that? Didn’t you realise that we were serious?”

  Louise heard the anguish in Kezia’s voice. She wanted to say that she had thought things through but she knew she was no longer talking to a child and so could not say, “Never mind dear, it’s not for long” for Kezia had in these few magical weeks turned seventeen and had become a young woman with her heart set on the man she loved more than anything in the world. The change really had happened in the blink of an eye and now Louise realised that while Kezia was losing the love of her life for a short time, Louise had lost her daughter. With Kezia going and Alexander gone, Louise was on her own. She rubbed moist eyes, pretending the wetness was caused by some dust or some insect.

  When they got back from the airport, Louise gave Kezia a hug. On the journey home she had thought things through and had an offer for Kezia. “Why don’t you go to University in Dunedin?” she asked. “You could do the Foundation Year Course and sit your final NCEA papers there.”

  The National Certificate of Educational Attainment was a two year course. Kezia already had enough papers and grades to enrol at university but she wanted to gain better leaving qualifications, which she could gain equally well from a Foundation Year course. Kezia leapt at the opportunity. She would be with Youssef and could look after him, as well as furthering her own education, which Mr Bannister was causing to be cut short. Instead of waiting until November to complete her course, she could transfer immediately and sit her exams in Dunedin. Goodbye Mr B.

  Louise was pleased to see Kezia so happy. A huge smile lit up her face.

  “I’d be with Youssef, and I’d be rid of Mr Bannister forever,” she said.

  Louise’s blood froze.

  “Mr Bannister? Which Mr Bannister?” she asked.

  “The Deputy Principal. My maths teacher,” said Kezia, alarmed at the distressed tone of her mother’s voice.

  “How old is he?” asked Louise, her voice choking in her throat.

  “Older than you Mum,” laughed Kezia.

  “Kezia, when I was your age I was sexually assaulted by a Mr Bannister. He screwed up my life, turned me into a pile of miserable anxiety. He is the reason I can’t keep a relationship.”

  Kezia suddenly saw her mother in a different light, could see her as a sixteen year old with all the worries that Kezia currently had. She saw herself at Louise’s age, with baggage from Bannister and two failed marriages. She hugged her mother, trying to absorb the crushing emotions Louise had exposed.

  “It’s all right Mum. He hasn’t done anything. To save Youssef from being deported I had to go to his office and hold his willie. He walked around with no undies on. Don’t worry. I can hack that. It’s no worse than Frank when he’s being careless.”

  “The bastard. The a
bsolute bastard!” cried Louise.

  Kezia had never heard her mother swear like that. She made her a cup of tea and the two sat silently. Finally Louise said, “Has Bannister had sex with you?”

  “No,” said Kezia. “But I am having sex with Youssef.”

  “I thought as much,” said Louise, “and I’m pleased you told me. We can talk about anything you need to know.”

  “I’m all right. I know what I’m doing and I’m quite safe,” said Kezia. “I can wait for Youssef to qualify then we can marry. Marriage is terribly important in his culture. Do you mean that I can go to Dunedin and be with him? I don’t have to stay at Wahanui High till the end of the year?”

  “And study,” said Louise. “Don’t forget the reason I’m paying is so you can study.”

  “Oh, yeah, that too!” laughed Kezia.

  DOWNHILL

  where things go wrong.

  CHAPTER 43.

  Louise had lost two people who had supported her in her hour of need, Kezia and Youssef. She found it hard to be without them, doubting her decision to let them go, as she knew she must. Louise spent a sleepless night and came to the decision that Bannister was an evil monster. Bannister had had sex with her, at a time when as an innocent young school girl he should have protected, not exploited her. It was not once or twice, but months, creating secrecy and shame that still made her cringe. She had eventually changed her whole life, leaving school early to break the pattern. Thank Goodness the law had changed. Teachers could no longer have sex with a student even if she was sixteen, the age of consent.

  Kezia was sixteen, the age at which Bannister had begun having sex with Louise. Although Bannister had not had intercourse with Kezia, he had groomed her, a vulnerable young girl, and had coerced her into a sexual activity.

  Never a vengeful person, Louise shook with rage. Whatever the cost, she was going to ensure that Bannister ruined no more female lives. Louise could see it all unfolding. She would take the long thin knife from the kitchen drawer, the one that Frank kept as sharp as a razor, the one that Kezia and Alexander had never been allowed to handle. She would wear loose sleeves to hide the knife. She saw herself knocking on his office door, smiling suggestively, saying ‘I remember Larcombe’s New Year party.’ Then, pausing to absorb his reaction, she would stab him through the heart.

  Louise took the knife out of the kitchen drawer and drove to Wahanui High School. The School Secretary recognized Louise as Kezia’s mother and asked her to sit on the bench outside the office window while she found Mr Bannister. Because Mr Bannister had no classes for the afternoon he was able to see Louise immediately.

  “Do you know where his office is?” asked the School Secretary. She walked down the empty hallway from the School Office towards the Teacher’s Offices. Bannister’s office as Deputy Principal was next to the Principal’s Office, which came first, and the Teachers’ Offices, which was at the end of the passage to the right.

  When she got to it, Mr Bannister’s door was closed. Louise thought of taking the knife from her sleeve so that she could stab him as he opened the door but before she could undo the zipper, he was standing on front of her.

  He had not changed greatly. Frank was six foot four, but Bannister was taller. He had an athlete’s physique, exuding masculinity even though his face was lined and his hair was turning grey. He looked like a male model for an advertisement on television.

  “Louise!” he said. Although his face broke into a grin, his eyes showed no pleasure. They were simply the calculating almond eyes of a waiting tiger. “What a pleasure. Do come in.”

  He ushered her into his room. Louise went into the room then turned to face her target.

  “How have you been?” he asked.

  “I’m fine, Mr Bannister,” she replied.

  “Just call me David,” he said, standing too close to her for comfort. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Do you remember how it used to be?”

  “You scum!” said Louise. “You took advantage of a young girl.”

  “You enjoyed it, though. I know you did,” he said. “Shall we do it again? Do you remember how I made you feel? Are you excited? Is that why you’re here?”

  He reached out for Louise. She pulled the knife out from her sleeve and lunged at him. He reacted quickly, turned away from Louise and the knife stopped harmlessly at her arm’s length. Louise had struck at him so hard she felt her elbow joint click.

  “No need for that,” he said. He put his arms around Louise and smothered her. He was a very big man, surprisingly relaxed considering Louise had just tried to kill him. “Give me the knife.”

  He took the knife from her hand.

  “This is not about you, it’s about Kezia, isn’t it?” he whispered in her ear.

  She felt helpless. His grip around her was so strong she could not wriggle free.

  “You scum. You foul animal!” hissed Louise. “Not content with me, you had to have her as well. You’ve stuffed up my life but I’m damned if you’ll stuff up hers as well.”

  “It’s because you and I enjoyed sex together so much,” said Bannister. “Kezia is just like you. But we haven’t had sex yet. She’s already getting it from that Arab boy. My turn will come, never fear.”

  “I’ll ruin you!” spat Louise in his face. “I’ll let your wife and family and everyone else know what you did to me and how you have groomed Kezia. She will be the last young girl you ever corrupt!”

  The knife was still in Bannister’s hand. He raised the point until it was under Louise’s chin. As he pressed the point into the flesh her skin depressed and the point made the tiniest mark in her skin.

  “If you ever, ever say a word or come back to harm me or my ex-wife, I will use this on you,” he said.

  As he spoke the door opened. The School Secretary stood there.

  “What’s going on here?” she asked. “I could hear your voices right down the corridor.”

  “What did you hear?” asked Bannister, obviously taken aback.

  “Everything,” said the Secretary as she turned and walked away with Louise at her heels.

  CHAPTER 44.

  Reaction set in as Louise followed Mary McMillan to the main School Office. As they reached the School Office, the Secretary took Louise’s arm.

  “You’re right, he’s scum,” said the Secretary. “I’m Mary McMillan. I heard every word, Louise. You were screaming and he was shouting. Not at the start. At the end. He said he would kill you.”

  “He won’t,” said Louise. “If I make a complaint to the Board, will you back me up?”

  Louise realised that Mary had not seen her with the knife. Mary McMillan obviously thought that Bannister had threatened her with a knife to force her to have sex with him.

  “I can say that I heard him threaten you as I approached the door, and when I opened it he was holding a knife at your throat,” Mary was quite calm and her voice was determined.

  “He used me when I was a kid,” said Louise, surprising herself with her candour. It was no longer a personal matter to be hidden away. Bannister’s predation of Louise had been spoken aloud and immediately she felt stronger. “I came to say that I was going to expose him, and he threatened me. He said I had enjoyed it at the time and wanted me to do it with him right there.”

  “You were going to kill him because he was using Kezia the same way he abused you?” asked Mary.

  “Yes,” said Louise. “But she won’t get involved. She has gone to Dunedin to complete her exams there.”

  Louise reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope. “I’ve written you a note so you can transfer her records.”

  Mary took the envelope. “Thanks for that,” she said. “Are you okay now?”

  “Yes,” said Louise. “I just need some time to think what to write to the School Board.”

  “When you get it written, I’ll check it out if you like,” said Mary. “But you can’t fight a war on your own. Would you mind if I made a few phone calls to see if other Mum
s want to join us?”

  “A brilliant idea,” said Louise. “I’m sure someone will come forward so the Board can’t sweep it under the carpet.”

  Mary McMillan hesitated before saying, “It was your knife, wasn’t it? It’s all right. I won’t say anything. One woman on her own can do nothing, but what if we all got together?”

  Louise answered, “Ever since he abused me, I’ve been unable to talk about it. That’s how men work. They fill you with guilt and shame until you are so weak nobody will believe your story. It’s time women got together to call men out.”

  “That’s brilliant,” said Mary. “I have thought about something like that, but I’ve never had the money or the support to get it organised.”

  The ideas that had been floating around in Louise’s mind suddenly melded into a kaleidoscopic picture.

  “I have the money and the motivation,” said Louise. “All I need is the support.”

  “Come into the toilets,” said Mary. “We can talk there.”

  The two women engaged immediately, as if they had been lifelong long friends. Louise made ten thousand dollars available to engage a part-time clerical worker in preparation for forming a group to challenge deviant men. Mary said she would take two weeks leave to write a business plan and get some supporters. They agreed that they should think matters through so that they would have a robust organisation with definite goals and processes, able to engage expert assistance and opinion so that disadvantaged and abused women would get help of the kind available only to the privileged.

  As she drove home Louise felt depressed and jubilant: depressed because she had not managed to hurt Bannister and jubilant because she could now see a way forward. Mary McMillan was right; the best way to hurt Bannister was to ruin him. The idea of a support group they had named Calling Out Men was a far better idea than stabbing Bannister with a knife. She would write her complaint as a first step although she held out no hope that her letter would be taken seriously. Whether the outcome was positive or negative, Mary would organise publicity that would do the real damage. The pen really was mightier than the sword.